tirgesfu

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax was down the rigging right behind Thomas. Good thing the contest was only going up because he could not keep with the Captain’s speed on the way down. But he did manage to find the helm and take hold of the wheel shoving Pierre to the side quickly. Pierre was more than eager to retreat feeling the tension and not wanting to be the one to take the course. Jax wanted it. His hands and body said as much. He felt the wood grain of the wheel and let his hands glide over it letting his ship know he was there and he needed her. Time to move, his fingers told the craft. Time to use the wind and set those sails. Show me woodend lovely lady he coaxed her.

But just as he was seducing his love the ship, something rang sweetness in his ears. A melody called him unlike any. He turned toward the music and let his body feel the splendid warm the ease of the call. It was for him. They were calling him. He froze as if mesmerized not painfully so but with a pleased smirk on his face.

Jax struggled, against what he couldn’t really figure, to wink to Luc and toss the cabin a secret smile. He knew where. He remembered. But he wasn’t sure he did. Wasn’t sure he was able. Some music wrapped around his soul and took a tight hold. It was loving and beautiful. Sort of. It was alluring and sexual for sure. But Jax could not help but feel as if it was like a odd carnival where you could not take your eyes off the double headed lady as she twisted her body sensually. He could not help but look out over the water toward the sweet promising call.

How he ever managed to pull his eyes away enough to move his hands on the wheel or move his drop open jaw enough to slip out the faint words, “Aye Captain.” Jax would never know. Maybe he made no sound. But he did face the wheel and follow the command. He felt blind and yet as if he could see the only thing that was important, the call, the melody of alluring love. Toward the song and the fire they would now steer.

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax grinned and thought of diving for pearls as his Captain leaned over the rail and looked below. Deep pearls or deep perils he had said. Jax could not help but chuckle at that. They both looked over the edge of the crows nest and watched a lovely wave from far below. Jax couldn’t really see her but his mind had been memorizing her for longer than he cared to admit. Oh he saw well enough all on his own.

Damn female powers he repeated the Captain's words in his head and took another swing. It felt right to lean against the side watch the moon waltz in and out of the thin layers of clouds and listen to Thomas tell his story.

Stories of young lust and seeing what he wanted in the dark of night. Jax knew of those. He could not help but wonder if the Captain was telling him more. But he had to laugh out loud at the end discription of the face that settled his tired night..“Sometimes tis best to keep your eyes closed.” He chuckled. Jax glanced up at the moon, “Nights always cast a different light. But still, bet your exports were wagged about on the tongue of that dog faced woman. Least ya didn’t eat hair.” He chuckled at the imagine that brought to his mind.

“She didn’t demand payment did she?” He slapped the flask in the Captain's direction. “Not as dramatic as your but my first night off ship at a port, young as I was, I was sure the ladies found me irresistible. Got friendly with one feeling oh so dashing and manly only to learn I had to pay her.”

“Damn female powers.” He laughed and pushed himself higher against the rail. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back feeling the rays of the moon. Or was that the tingle from the flask? Didn’t matter much. It felt good as the cool breeze of passing stars tickled his hair and touched his chest. He opened his eyes to view the sky never tiring of the way the stars dance and directed.

As he was looking up he heard a melody distance and faint. At first he thought it was Nicki calling to him. She had his boots. She was singing to call him down and back to them. But it didn’t take long for Jax to realize it was not the voice that read stories to him and recited poetry. Although the sound was sweet there was no honey in the song at all. It was far away It mixed with the waves and the salt spray. It sang with promises like that of the whore in some far off camp . Jax turned his head following the sound. He strained his ears and then his eyes.

There was a faint light below the star light horizon. It rose and faded as if reaching for the night sky, as if it was trying to jump from the sea to the join the moon and her clouds. In fact Jax had to look to make sure it just wasn’t a trick of the waves against the far edges of the sky line. He closed his eyes and opened them again.

It was a distant fire. Jax knew where they were. He knew that direction. He slowly raised his hand and glanced to his Captain. “Tell me if that far off light is not a ship on fire?”

He watched with more focus wondering if it was a expensive exoitc wonder tapping on their tent flap luring them in the dark. Or a dogfish of a hairy beast they might not want to see in the daylight.

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax watched Thomas wipe the extra rum from his chin and listened closely. It wouldn’t change anything. Jax was sure that was an understatement. The guy was in love and that, in Jax’s mind changed everything. Yet Jax trusted the man for reasons he couldn't express. It was the rouge he would watch. Ha, as if that was a chore. But he was not sure what he thought of a woman who could slide in and out of other’s masks, other people with such skill and grace. How would you know which was you, which was real? Still Jax would never say so or give his Captain any advice in that. Just might be some choppy waters ahead. Still a strong ship could take any of it.

But the inference the Captain tossed back to him with his words and the flask, shook those thoughts away. What was the difference in the maks either of the woman wore? And how was it Jax’s let his growing affections be so easily read? He smiled and lowered his head pausing before taking a drink.

Then the threesome came up again and Jax tossed back his head and laughed. “Too much for you, ah?” He chuckled. It was his turn to wipe his mouth not wanting to waste the rum through caught laughter. He shook his head as he smeared the drips before they spilled down his chest. “You smack me aside the head if you see me looking too hard.” He was sure Thomas would know he was talking about Nicki. “I am sure it is a losing bad idea screwed up mistake sitting there waiting for me to make.”

He took another drink. “The attempt I mean. Yet..” He smiled and shrugged. What was it both of them liked so much about being a pirate? The hunt, the chase the trip as much as any reward at the end.

Jax glanced over the rail to catch a bit of action on the deck. Was that the first mate beating on some crew? He laughed and pointed down for Thomas to watch his first mate settle something quickly and efficiently. “What’s not to like in that?” He laughed back to his Captain and leaned over the edge of the rail to call out, not that she would hear but maybe she would, “Well played, winner!”

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax laughed between the pants of trying to catch his breath. He was winded. And laughing. The combination was a wheezing sort of blowing out uncaught air, and trying to wiggle into the crows nest only made him want to laugh harder. But in the spasm of that he did manage to hand Thomas his Captain the flask.

“Oh that was fun.” He finally sputtered out. “Most of what was wondered was just shown in that romantic display on deck. But,” He wiggled his fingers to encourage a swing for himself, “Tell me what it means?” Oh he was being much bolder than Jax the Helmsman would ever be. Must be the thrill of the win or the height of the night air. “ I have to wonder how it will change things. Are you playing the next caught male? Will we go to port and your sea love become another Ms Green, or Black, or Yellow? Useful I am sure. But hard to watch as well.”

She was talented that Tante Tonia. He could easily admit that. Yet so much so would it be hard to know the truth? Jax watched the Captain and saw something that told him maybe not so much for him. He lowered his eyes to the flask now being his turn. “Truth is you don’t need to tell me anything.” He took a swig. “Then you can tell Antonia all her secrets are safe. And I can tease her with knowing looks that know nothing.” He looked back to the Captain and laughed. “ Before she cuts my tongue or plucks my eyes out.”

“I tell you something Captain, my Captain, you sure know how to find the most perplexing and alluring women.” He laughed again and handed the flask back across the crows nest.

Jax glazed down to the party beginning to spread on deck. This was a good place to be, he thought as he shifted in the tight quarters. “But thank you.” He added softly. He was thanking him for the nights fun, for the place on board, for the foresight to include amazing woman on his ship, for the direction they now sailed. He smiled up again toward the moon light.

“And never fear. I will single handedly convince your love the Dusk Skate that your affection for another only increases her worth in both your eyes and hearts. Never underetimate a three some.” He laughed. Then a slight retraction hit his eyes and he added quickly, “The ship. Not me of course.”

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

Very nice Grainy. (and helpful Dot) Thanks so much.

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

GO!

Jax took hold of the damp thick riggin and pulled himself up quickly, feet pushing and curling around the rope as his hands reached above him. He hadn’t thought to try hard. It would be best for the Captain to win. But something inside him changed, as was happening way too often of late.

Part of him wanted Nicki to see him succeed. He wanted her to think him capable. How silly was that? She was not a woman who would be impressed by trivial contests set to entertain. He knew that. Oh yes he knew that. Her deep eyes told him so when they scolded him, or bandaged him, or read to him. She was not the typical female that melted at some display of muscular fitness. Still. He wanted her to know, he was not a milk toast helmsman. He wanted her to see.

Yet he felt as if she, more than anyone, would understand the need for the Captain to be the winner in all these things; the affection of woman, the feets of the flesh, the best of the worst of the best. It was in Jax’s interest to be under a strong leader. He had never worried about any of that before. If he did his job, he was happy enough. But as with this whole bewitched sailing ship, this Captain was different. This crew was different. Thomas as a good leader and Jax felt an undeniable pull to support, promote and encourage a good following. He had been on crews before and he knew how delicate that balance could be. Bad men could hold ships hostage and good men could tumble through no fault of their own. Support was important.

Now that was more important then ever. Woman were on board and thoughts of kissing were out in the open. Thomas had a weak spot and that was Antonia. Oh she wasn’t helpless per say, but now there was more to any thoughts of disobeying the Captain. Anyone could blame the rouge.

So maybe Jax shouldn’t win.

Or maybe he had already. His boots were in Nicki’s cabin after all. Kissing was filling his mind as well. Not a good thing when climbing high above the beauties, trying to show best to the exciting ones below and fast fit Captain.

Stop thinking Jax scolded himself and began to just enjoy the stretch of his fingers and the curl of his toes on the hard sting of the rope. He looked forward to sitting atop the mast and sharing a drink with Thomas his Captain. He would jib the man of his romance and drink to their pleasant nights shared. And he would promise to console his mistress the ship, with gentleness and attention. But he knew his own tongue would become thick if he had to lose his end of this bet. He could not betray Nicki. His time in her cabin was more to him than the truth of a ruined shirt. Stories would have to be thought out and told. Could he lie to the Captain he sought to loyally follow?

Maybe. If that was still the real prize. He looked up to the near end of the climb and felt his breath hard and his arms strained. The wind ripped over his skin with the sting of salt and the freshness of open air. It felt good. He had offered the bet to help the strain of the Captain but as he found his way closer to the top he realized he had been selfish all along. He liked it. All of it. The Captain beside him, and Nicki holding him below.

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

And that is my last post.

Great fun. Thanks all.

I have some major life direction changes and I am going to fade away from the RPG boards. I can't really express how finding a place to play, writers to write with and stories to dream of has added to my simply life journey. It has. It woke parts of me I had let slip away. I am a better person for having been monsters, Greek gods, travelers, space cowboys, winged beauties, and many more.

Thank you all.

Now let's finish the puppy and put 'er to bed.

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

Everything has an order. Everything has an end.

Even those immortals must follow paths and rules, call it nature, call it cosmos, call it balance. Gods fight to break those rules just as man does. Each wanting more. But success is brief, fleeting, for those who manage to stretch their place. Fenris was no exception as powerful as he was. He saw the chance, he set the course, but he like those before him, he failed.

Here the powers of the underworld, the death, the undefined, the nature and order of things took hold. They took Max back. With the help of his Reaper friend Daisy, he had escaped the order, but like the wolf god his time was done. It was time to follow those rules, those powers that governed all.

Through Max, that power forcefully embraced the god wolf of old. It wrapped around Fenris bringing the monster wolf into the new order of things. It’s hold would be tight. But the swamps of the dead could use more gods to fill their vacuums and this god could roam around in this order of things. He was not done or gone. He was just captured again by a different chain.

It was Max that was gone. His body now one of the same that Semyon so easily swatted aside. The fire sent for help by Kata caught light on his face just as he accepted his fate. Max knew of order. He had his time to break the rules and the pride in his face showed it. He showed Daisy. He showed Kata. He showed Semyon. Before he faded. Before he turned into just another beast in the swamp.

As Max was taken fingers of the order of death reached far to the other half, to the other side. Thad was tied to Max. Max was a creation that took more than just a body from the warlock. It took part of him. Death’s cold hands reached for that part too. There is after all, an order to things.

Thad felt Veti close. He knew her scent, her touch, the form of her curves, the softness of her hair and the tuffs of her fur. When the ice cold grip took hold of him he fought it. At first. Veti needed him. He could not leave her.

But he was the chemist, the alchemist, the mixer of life forces, the spell caster. He knew of the science of things. He knew of reality. He was going to die.

Death was just another transfer of energy, of force. He would never leave Veti with nothing. He could mix the atoms, the water, the elements in his form and give them back to the one he loved. She would never be without him.

Thad gather the last of his warmth, the last of his body force, and he rolled that together, just as he did with the rain, and the glass. In a burst of all he had he opened his eyes, reached for Veti and moved to kiss her. His lips did not really touch but he let loose a last breath of his heart, his soul, his chemistry, his love,and blew into her mouth and nose. Take that with you love, and move on. All that he had he emptied into Veti.

Then he fell to take his own order of things. His own place. His own end.

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

I have one more post too. I'll have it up sometime soon and see how this winds into everyone else's dramatic finish.

Thanks all for playing along and adding to my fun.

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax’s eyes opened wide at the display of affection. What? A few days ago, wait just a two nights, he would have moaned with sure agony. Woman should not be aboard for that exact reason. Affection of that sort brings bad luck. Dust Skate would feel it. The ship is a hard mistress and a jealous one that will throw stormy seas, dead winds, or broken sails to those she feels betrays her. At least two nights ago Jax would have thought so. Things have changed. He had changed. Damn sea witches have shaken his core. To his great surprise there was a mix of envy as he watched the second kiss this time orchestrated by the Captain. Not that he wanted to kiss either of them, but... He looked to Nicki thinking of kisses. In her face he thought he saw her concern. Maybe. Would she watch that and think of him? No, she would worry about the crew. As she should. Still.

“Wait! Is that in the parameters?” He announced loudly. Jax pretended to almost reach for the First Mate with the intention of a kiss but in a dramatic flare so easy for Jax he spun instead to a crew mate who stood too close. It was Spice, who must have gotten the nickname from the silly scent he tried to cover his dirt ridden body with. Anytime, anything was going on Spice was there. He liked to be in the center of things in a good natured way. So Jax was sure he was a good pick.

With wide flung arms, quickly Jax placed one hand over Spices mouth and wrapped his other around him. Then he placed an over exaggerated smacking kiss on his hand over Spice’s mouth. Spice had the sense to keep his balance and hit his hands wildly over Jax’s back. With just as much drama, Jax let him go and grinned to Antonia.

With a nod to the Captain, with eyes that said he understood, he scurried to his side of the riggings and took hold. He grinned and answered loudly, “The best man ain’t even on board.”

Then he turned his head to offer his smile to Luc and he waited.